The Justice Department Faces Scrutiny Over Epstein File Release
WASHINGTON – The Justice Department announced Wednesday that it needs more time to release all records related to Jeffrey Epstein, the deceased sex offender. This comes after the unexpected discovery of over a million additional documents.
A group of senators, including one Republican, has called for an investigation into the Justice Department’s handling of the release. They want the department’s watchdog to look into why the deadline was missed. The senators believe it’s important for victims to have all the information.
The Justice Department stated that federal prosecutors and the FBI found these new documents, which could be related to the Epstein case. This is a surprising development, as officials had previously suggested they had already done a thorough review of all Epstein-related materials.
Officials say that lawyers are working hard to review the documents and remove private information as required by law. The law, called the Epstein Files Transparency Act, requires the government to make these files public. The Justice Department said it will release the documents as soon as possible, but the large amount of material means it could take a few more weeks.
This announcement follows increased attention on how the Justice Department is releasing Epstein-related records. Some members of Congress have voiced concerns about the delays and the amount of information being withheld.
One lawmaker, who helped write the law requiring the release, stated that the Justice Department broke the law by missing the deadline and hiding information.
